City Comparison
Newton vs Worcester
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newton
Worcester
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Worcester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Newton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newton's average rent is
58% higher than Worcester's.
| Metric | Newton | Worcester | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,850 | $1,800 | +58% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $3,930 | $2,620 | +50% |
| Cost Index | 158 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newton offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Worcester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Newton is estimated at
$78,000 vs $55,000 in Worcester.
| Metric | Newton | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,228 idx | 70,526 idx |
| Household Income | $160,411 | $70,102 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newton runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newton comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newton sees 26.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newton | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Worcester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Newton.
Newton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newton | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 56.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 36.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Worcester is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Newton.
From a growth perspective, Worcester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newton | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,287 | 207,055 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newton
Advantages
Newton Public Schools consistently rank among the top-performing school districts in Massachusetts.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates well below the national average.
Unmatched geographic convenience with direct MBTA rail access and proximity to downtown Boston.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and recreational bodies of water like Crystal Lake and Hammond Pond.
Thriving local village centers offering boutique shopping, diverse dining, and active community life.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and median home purchase prices exceeding one million dollars.
Heavy rush hour traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-90 and Route 128.
High property tax burdens associated with funding top-tier municipal services and schools.
Fiercely competitive housing market with limited rental and starter-home inventory.
Strict zoning and historic preservation regulations can make residential renovations challenging.
Worcester
Advantages
Worcester offers a cost of living that is more affordable than the national average, particularly in housing costs compared to Boston.
The city has a growing job market with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and technology, supported by major employers and research institutions.
Worcester boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous theaters, museums, and a diverse culinary landscape.
The median property value in Worcester, while increasing, remains more accessible than in many other Massachusetts municipalities.
Worcester has a Walk Score of 56, indicating that some daily errands can be accomplished on foot, and offers public transit options including MBTA Commuter Rail service to Boston.
Drawbacks
Worcester experienced a significant surge in homicides in 2024, marking the highest number in nearly four years.
While improving, the city's transit score is 34, suggesting that public transportation accessibility and frequency could be enhanced.
The median household income in Worcester ($70,102 in 2024) is lower than the median for Worcester County ($95,900 from 2020-2024).
Worcester's crime trajectory is described as volatile, and it has a higher violent-to-property crime ratio than the national average.
Despite a growing job market, salary growth in Worcester County has lagged behind state and national averages, with notable racial and ethnic disparities in unemployment.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Newton
#334Massachusetts, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,850
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
158
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
92
Business
82
Worcester
#346Massachusetts, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
34.0/100
Walkability
56.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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